Celta Vigo's opening fixture of the new La Liga season has been postponed after a fungal outbreak left the pitch at Balaídos unfit for professional football, ONE reports.
The club were due to host Osasuna at home on Sunday, but La Liga, in coordination with both clubs and the Spanish federation (RFEF), called off the match after a disease affecting the grass proved impossible to contain in time.
According to the reporting, a technical inspection just a week earlier had certified the pitch as meeting quality and safety standards, with the fungal treatment appearing to be working. A second, more thorough double inspection was carried out this past week, including an evening check, but conditions had deteriorated again.
Celta's official statement pointed to the weather as the culprit: recent conditions in Vigo had reversed the positive progress the surface had been making, leaving the turf below the standard required for a top-flight match.
The rescheduled fixture will now be played on Thursday, August 27, at 20:30 local time. Celta confirmed that tickets already purchased for the original date will remain valid for the new one, with no action required from supporters.
Celta apologised to fans for the disruption to their season-opening plans, calling the situation exceptional and thanking supporters for their patience.
Osasuna, however, pushed back hard on the decision. The visitors said the two clubs had previously discussed the international break of September 24-25 as a more sensible alternative date, and accused La Liga of a lack of foresight and professionalism in leaving the call so close to kick-off — arguing the late notice disproportionately hurt the travelling side.
Balaídos has been under redevelopment for over a decade and is one of the stadiums under consideration for the 2030 World Cup, with capacity plans of 40,000-44,000 once work is complete — adding an awkward footnote to a ground-condition embarrassment just as Spain's bid for the tournament gathers momentum.
